Calculating machine



March 5, 1946. T. o. MEHAN ETAL 2,396,188

CALCULATING MACHINE Filed March 6, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet -1 INVENTORSTHOMAS C. MEHAN HUNTER E. HOOE ATTORNEYS March 5, 1946. T. o. MEHAN ETAL2,396,188

CALCULATING MACHINE 9 Filed March 6, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORSTHOMAS 0. MEHAN HUNTER E. H005 QAMWZ M 1 'ATToR NEKS March 5, 1946.

T. o. MEHAN ETAL 2,396,188

CALCULATING MACHINE Filed March 6, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS.THOMAS O. MEHAN HUNTER E.H OOE A TTORNEYS March 5, 1946. 04 MEHAN ET2,396,188

CALCULAT ING MACH INE Filed March 6, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORSTHOMAS C. MEHAN HUNTER E.HO0E

- A TTOR NEKS March 5, 1946. T. o. MEHAN ET AL CALCULATING MACHINE FiledMarch 6, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 THOMAS 0. MEHAN HUNTER E. HOOE ATTOR NEY6 March 5, 1946. T. o. MEHAN ET AL CALCULATING MACHINE Filed March 6,1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS. THOMAS O.MEHAN HUNTER E. HQOE IATTORNEKS G (hob March 5, 1946. T. o. MEHAN ET AL gy CALCULAT INGMACHINE M w W INVENTORIQ THOMA C). MEHAN HUNTEE E. HOOE March 5, 1946. OMEHAN ET AL 2,396,188

CALCULATING MACHINE Filed March 6, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 JNVENTORSTHOMAS QVMEHAN HUNTER E. HOOE C1: flMQZK ATTOR/VE rs March 5, 1946. T.o. MEHAN ET AL 2,396,138

CALCULATING MACHINE Filed March 6, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 ENTORS as .1221 188 THOMAS O. MEHAN F16 HUNTER E-.HOOE- A TTOR NE Y6 Patented Mar. 5,1946 CALCULATING MACHINE Thomas 0. Mehan, Park Ridge, and Hunter E.Hooe. Chicago, Ill., assignors to Victor Adding Machine 00., Chicago,111., a corporation of Illinois Application March 6, 1942, Serial'No.433,608

12 Claims.

Our invention relates generally to calculating machines, and moreparticularly to improvements in subtracting, positive and negative totaltaking, and control mechanisms for machines of this type. i

The invention is an improvement upon the machine disclosed in the priorapplications of Thomas O. Mehan, Serial No. 372,289 and Serial No.372,290, both flied December 30, 1940.

It is a primary object of our invention to provide an improvedcalculating machine capable of addition and subtraction (as well asdivision and multiplication by repeated addition and subtraction) inwhich positive or negative totals may be taken during the machine cycleimmediately following an item entering cycle, that is, without thenecessity of interposing one or more blank strokes.

A further object is to provide a calculating ma-- chine with an improvedmechanism for the shifting of the accumulator between add and subtractpositions.

A further object is to provide an improved carrying or transfermechanism whereby transfers may be effected substantiallyinstantaneously from the lowestthrough intermediateto the highestdenominational order of the accumulator.

A further object is to provide an improved mechanism for taking creditbalances.

A further object is to provide an improved overdraft key interlockmechanism, whereby mis operation of the machine is prevented.

A further object is to provide improved electrical control circuits forcalculating machines.

A further object is to provide an improved calculating machine which iscapable of performing a wide variety of calculating operationsefiiciently and rapidly, which is simple in construction, and which maybe economically manufactured.

Other objects will appear from the following description, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view, taken from the left side of themachine, and showing the numeral keys, the accumulator, and theactuating mechanism therefor;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, taken just inside theleft outer vertical frame of the machine, and showing particularly themeans for shifting the accumulator between add and subtract positions,and the means for operating the actuator restoring bail;

to an enlarged scale, showing the accumulator and its associatedoperating mechanism;

Figs. 3 to 7 are fragmentary sectional views, showing portions of thetransfer or carrying mechanism in the different positions assumedthereby in effecting transfers;

Fig. 8 is a right-side elevational view of a portion of the machine withthe casing removed, showing particularly the control keys and linkageoperated thereby;

Fig. 8a is a perspective view showing the connection between the creditbalance, total, and subtotal keys and the subtract and add keys;

Fig. 9 is a left-side elevational view of a portion of the machine withthe casing removed, and showing particularly the accumulator shift andthe motor control mechanisms, and switches associated therewith;

Fig. 10 is a wiring diagram of the electrical control circuits shown inassociation with the mechanical elements which cooperate therewith; Fig.11 is a perspective view showing the overdraft locking mechanism forpreventing the depression of positive total taking keys when anoverdraft exists in the accumulator;

Fig. 11a is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the key lockingportion of the overdraft interlock mechanism;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the accumulator mechanism, portions thereofbeing omitted to reveal the underlying parts; and,

Fig. 13 is a timing chart showing the sequence of operations takingplace during listing and total taking cycles of the machine.

General description It is believed that the detailed description of themachine will be more readily understood if it is read with a generalknowledge of the functions to be performed and the general manner inwhich the objects of the invention are attained.

The machine is of the key-set type, the keys controlling the positioningof actuators which operate the accumulators. Intermediate the actuatorracks and the accumulators is a novel form of motion-transmittingmechanism where by transfer operations may be rapidly effected,

during a very short time near the beginning of an operating cycle. Theaccumulator pinions are shifted between add and subtract positions,depending upon which of the control keys is depressed, byelectromagnetic means, which are operated substantially instantaneouslyupon de- Fig. 2a is a fragmentary vertical sectional view. pression ofthe control keys.

4 supported inte mediate the keys.

Means are provided automatically to add the fugitive one" as the amountentered in the accumulator changes from a positive to a negative value,and to subtract the fugitive one from the amount in the accumulator assuch amount changes from a negative to a. positive value.

By virtue of the fact that the fugitive one is thus added or subtracted,and because the transfer or carry-over mechanism and the accumulatorshift mechanism operate rapidly at the beginning of an operating cycle,it is possible to take a positive or negative total and clear theaccumulators in the cycle of operation immediately following anitem-entering cycle. The necessity of taking one or more blank strokesor spacing cycles is thus avoided.

The machine is provided with an improved electrical control circuit,whereby. upon depression of any one of the control keys. the accumulatoris automatically shifted if such shift is necessary to perform theoperation determined by the depressed control key.

Accumulator, and actuating mechanism therefor As shown in Fig. 1, themachine has numeral keys 20 which may be provided with any suitableflexible latching mechanism for their key stems 22, and are suitablysupported and guided for vertical reciprocat ry m vement, the keys beingretu ned to normal position by coil springs 24 extendin th ough atransverse row of keys and The lower extremities of the key stems 22serve as sto s for cooperation with lu s 26 projecting sidewardly,

alternately in opDSte directions, from actuator slides 28. The stop lu's 6 are arran' ed in vernier fashion so as to decrease the extent ofnecessary lon itudinal movement of the slides. Each of the slides has abracket 90 secured thereto, these brackets bein suitably offset and eachprovided with a notch 32 enga' ea le with a pin 34 pro ectin'rsidewardly from an actuating rack 36. Each of the slides 28 is normallyrestrained from rearward movement (under conditions hereinafter to bedesc ibed) by a zero stop hook 37. The slides in such of thedenominational orders in which a key has been de ressed are released byclockwise swingin of their respective zero sto hooks 37 in aconventional manner.

The actuating racks 36 are mounted for longitudinal reciprocatorymovement upon a pair of fixed guide rods 38 extending th ough slots 39,and are laterally spaced by s itable conventional means, such as combsM. The actuating racks 36 are normallv ur ed to move rearwardlv bytension springs 40 in the usual manner. Extending throu h slots42 formedin t e actuating racks 36 is a restoring bail bar 44, which is suitablyguided in the center frame plates of the machine for reciprocation inthe direction of the slots 42, such as by the slot 46 formed in theleft-hand one of a pair of center frame plates 48, 49, A link 58 (Fig.2) is suitably secured at each end of the restoring bar 44. The rearwardends of the links 58 are pivotally connected to arms 52, which arerigidly secured to a shaft 54, mountedfor oscillation in the centervertical frame plates. The arm 52 at the left-hand end of the shaft 54is formed integrally with an off-set arm 96, which carries a followerroller 58, the latter being held in en agement with a plate cam 68 by aspring 6|. The cam 68 is secured to a main shaft 8'2.

As will hereinafter appear, the main shaft 62 rotates counterclockwise(Fig. 2) through a com plete revolution during each operating cycle ofthe machine. As may be observed from Fig. 2, and as indicated in thediagram of Fig. 13, the cam 60 has a depressed portion 64 followed by aslight rise 65, a dwell portion 66, a sharp fall portion 68, a. dwellportion 69, a rise portion Ill, and a final dwell portion 1| As a resultof this shape of the plate cam 60, the restoring bar 44 moves in thefollowing manner, as indicated in the chart of Fig. 13.

During the first 36 degrees of rotation of the main shaft, the restoringbar moves the actuating racks rearwardly from their normal position,which resets any tripped transfer pawls, as will appear hereinafter. Asthe depressed portion 64 of the cam passes the roller, the actuatorracks 36 are moved forwardly, while the main shaft rotates from its 36position to its 60 position. While the main shaft moves from its 60position to its position, the dwell portion 66 of the cam is adjacentthe roller 58 and the actuating racks 36 are thus held stationary duringthis period.

From the 75 position to the 108 position, the sharp fall portion 68 ofthe cam passes the roller 58, so that the actuator racks 36 moverearwardly to the position in which they are limited by the stems of anydepressed keys, such movement taking place while the main shaft movesfrom its 75 position to its 108 position.

The rise portion 10 of the cam 60 commences engaging the roller 58 tomove the restoring bar 44 forwardly when the main shaft is at its 243position, such forward motion being completed when the main shaftreaches its 288 position.

An elbow-shaped arm I2 secured to a shaft 14 has a forked end 16cooperating with a roller 18 secured to an extension of the arm 56, andis adapted to operate suitable mechanism for releasing the depressedkeys at the proper time in the cycle of operation.

As best shown in Figs. 1 and 3 to 5, each of the actuator racks 36 has arack portion 82 meshing with a segmental pinion 84. This pinion ismounted for rotation upon a shaft 86, and is keyed to a segmental gear88 by a lug 98 partially punched from the segmental gear 88. An alignerbar 85 is provided to align the segmental gear 88 prior to effecting theprinting.

The segmental gears each has cut-away portions 92 to receive a transfersector 94 having three teeth in alignment with the teeth of thesegmental gear 88. The transfer sector 94 is secured to a hub 95, whichis mounted for rotation on the shaft 86. The transfer sector 94 isnormally urged clockwise (Fig. 3), with respect to its adjacent gearsegment 88, by a tension spring 96. one end of which is suitablyanchored to the gear segment 88 and the other end of which is attachedto an ear 98, extending from the transfer sector 94. The transfer sector94 is normally held a definite arcuate distance, (corresponding to thetooth pitch) from the segmental gear 88 by the stop face 99 of atransfer pawl I00. When the transfer pawl is tripped, as willhereinafter be described, the stop face 99 moves radially inwardly withrespect to a stop lug H02 formed on the transfer sector 94 and permitsthe latter to move clockwise under the influence of its spring 96 andenter a notch I84 formedin the transfer pawl [I88 (Fig. 4).

The accumulator comprises a plurality of accumulator wheels Q88(pinions) mounted for free rotation upon a shaft 688. these pinionsbeing at all times in mesh with subtract pinions H0 mounted upon a shaftM2, and the latter, as

shown in Fig. 2a, meshing with idler pinions II4 mounted upon a shaftIII, the idler pinions meshing with pinions "8 attached to visible dialwheels I20 mounted for free rotation upon a shaft I22. The shafts I08.H2, H8, and I22 are rigidly secured to a pair of accumulator frameplates I24 and I28.

The ends of the shafts I08 and I I2 are provided with bushings I28located in slots I28 formed in the cradle side plates I30 and I3I. Thecradle side plates I30 and I3I are secured together to form a rigidcradle by rods I32, I33, and I34, the rod I33 extending beyond the outersurfaces of the cradle frame plates I30 and I3I, and into suitableopenings formed in the center section frame plates 48, 48, to provide apivot for the cradle.

The cradle for the accumulators is rocked to bring the accumulatorwheels I08 into mesh with the segmental gears 88 (or to bring thesubtract pinions into meshing engagement, provided a subtract operationis to be performed) by suitable mechanism, best shown in Fig. 2a.

This mechanism comprises a link I38 pivoted on the rod I34. A lostmotion pin and slot connection is provided between the lower end of thelink I36 and the rearwardly extending arm I38.

y when in the position shown in Fig. 2a, prevents lost motion betweenthe link I36 and the arm I38. This non-add latch I44 is swung rearwardlyfree from engagement with the pin on the arm I38 when a non-add operaton is to be performed, so that the raising and lowering of the operatinglink I42 will be ineffective to swing the cradle.

The swinging movement of the accumulator carrying cradle is limited by apin I46 proiecting inwardlv from the right center frame plate 49 andembraced in an elongated slot I48 formed in an ear I50, depend ng fromand forming part of the cradle side plate I30. The ear I50 also has anose portion I52 cooperable with a detent I54 pivoted on the shaft 86and operated by a tension spring I56.

The transfer pawls I are pivoted on a shaft I58 carried in the centerframe plates 48 and 49 and each urged to swing clockwise (Fig. 2a) by atension spring I60 attached to the forwardly extending portion of thetransfer pawl I00 and a rearwardly extending arm I62 of a transfer pawllatch I64. The latch I64 is notched at its upper end to receive thedownwardly extending hook IE6 at the forward end of the transfer pawl I00. Each of the accumulator pinions I06 is provided with a transfer camtooth I68, and each of the subtract pinions H0 is similarly providedwith a transfer cam tooth I (Fig. 3). The transfer cam teeth I68, "0(depending upon whether an adding or subtracting operation is beingperformed) are adapted to contact a nose projection I'I2 formed on thetransfer pawl I00 when a transfer is to be effected.

Such engagement causes the transfer pawl I00 to be swungcounterclockwise (F g. 2a), whereupon the latch I 84 associatedtherewith is released from the hook I68 and swings clockwise so as tohold the transfer pawl I00 in tripped position, such holding beingeffected by the positioning of end portion I14 of the latch I84 beneaththe hook I88.

The latches I84 are restored incidental to the disengagement of theaccumulator or subtract pinions from the actuators when the side platesI for the accumulator pinions I08 and subtract pinions II 0,respectively, to hold the pinions against rotation when they are not inengagement with thesegmental gears 88.

In order to insert the fugitive one" and to subtract it at the propertimes when the amount entered in the accumulator pinions changes from apositive to a negative value, and vice versa, the transfer pawls I 00aand I 00b, respectively, for the highest and the lowest denominationalorder accumulator pinions I08, have a rearwardly extending portion I18.

Accumulator shifting mechanism As previously indicated,,the framecomprising the accumulator frame plates I24, I26 is shiftable in thecradle frame plates I30, I3I, to bring either the accumulator pinionsI06 or the subtract pinions I I0 in position for engagement with thesegmental gears 68. Such shifting of these pinions is accomplishedelectromagnetically by a pair of solenoids I80, I82, having plungers I8Iand I83, respectively. As best shown in Figs. 2 and 10, the plungers I8Iand I83 are pivotally connected to the ends of a lever I84 centrallypinned to the shaft 86. Likewise secured to the shaft 86 is a pair offorked arms I88, the forked upper ends of which embrace sidewardlyextending studs I88, which are secured to the accumulator frame platesI24, I25, respectively.

Thus, when the solenoid I isenerg zed, the accumulator pinions I06 arebrought to the position shown in Fig. 3, where they may be brought intomesh with the transfer sectors 94 and gear segments 88. When in thisposition, the transfer cam teeth I86 are in positions such that they mayoperate the transfer pawls I00 and I00a. On the other hand, when thesolenoid I82 is energized, the accumulator assembly will be moved to theposition shown in Figs. 1 and 10, wherein the subtract pinions I I0 arein position for engagement with the transfer sectors 94 and gearsegments 86, and the transfer cam teeth I10, associated with thesepinions, may cooperate with the transfer pawls I00 and MM for effectingtransfer operations.

The accumulator assembly is heldin the particular position to which itis shifted upon operation of either of the solenoids I80, I82 by adetent lever I90 (Fig. 9) suitably pivoted upon a stud I9I and urgedcounterclockwise by a suitably anchored tension spring I92. The rearwardarm of the detent lever I90 carries a roller I94 cooperable with thepointed end I96 of lever I98, the latter lever being pinned to the shaft86.

Control keys and operating controls Referring to Fig. 8, it will be seenthat the machine is provided with a plurality of control keys, includinga non-print control key 200, a non-add key 2M, 9. sub-total key 202, atotal key 203, a credit balance key 204, a repeat key 205, an error key206, an add key 201, and a subtract key 208. The keys 200 to 206 operatein a manner more fully disclosed in the aforesaid copending applicationsSerial No. 372,289 and Serial No. 372,290, to determine thecharacter ofthe operating cycle to be performed. In addition, the keys 20l to 204,inclusive, are individually operable to close a switch 2l0, which, aswill hereinafter appear, results in the energization of the drivingmotor for initiation of a cycle of operation of the machine.

The add key 201 has an off-set stem 2 I2, which, at its lower end, isprovided with a foot 2. Similarly, the subtract key 208 has an off-setstem 2 l 6 provided with a foot 2l8. The key stems U2 and 216 areprovided with longitudinal slots embracing guiding studs 220 and 22 I.An interlock finger 222 is freely pivoted on the stud 220 and has camfaces for engagement with studs 223 and 224 projecting sidewardly fromthe key stems 2|2 'and U6, respectively, and prevents simultaneousdepression of the keys 201 and 208.

The key 201 is adapted to be held in depressed position by a latch 226,while a similar latch 221 is provided for the subtract key 208. Theselatches, upon complete depression of the key 201 or key 208, are adaptedto hook beneath the studs 228 or 229, respectively, to hold down thedepressed key during a predetermined portion of the operating cycle. Thelatches 226 and 221 are adapted to 'be released by a reciprocatory slide230 operated by suitable mechanism driven. from the main shaft 62.

As shown in Fig. 8a, the credit balance key 204 is adapted, upondepression, to swing clockwise a rocker plate 232 suitably supported inthe keyboard assembly, the rocker plate 232 having a rearwardlyextending arm 234 which overlies a pin 236 projecting inwardly from thekey stem 2|6. In a similar manner, the sub-total key 202 and total key203 are each provided with rocker plates having arms engageable withstuds 238 and 239, respectively, which are secured to the adding keystem 2H2.

Depression of the add key 201 causes its foot 2l4 to close a switch 240and thereafter to close a switch 242. In a similar manner, completedepression of the subtract key 268 causes the foot 2l8 of its key stemsuccessively to close switches 244 and 246.

Electrical circuits and motor control Referring to the circuit diagram,Fig. 10, the switches 240 and 244 are respectively connected in serieswith switches 250 and 254 and with the windings of solenoids 880 andH82, respectively. Thus, in order to energize the solenoid E80, switches250 and 240 must be closed, while, to energize solenoid E82, switches254 and 244 must be closed.

As best shown in Fig. 9, an arm 256 is rigidly secured to the left-handend of shaft 86, and at its free extremity carries an insulating bushing258, which is adapted alternately to open switches 250 and 25%,depending upon the position to which the accumulator assembly has beenshifted.

It will be noted that the switches 242 and 246 are respectively closedsubsequently to the closure of the switches 220 and 2434. The switches242 and 246 are connected in parallel with each other and in parallelwith switch 2| 0, these three switches being arranged in series circuitwith the winding of a solenoid 260 and in series with a switch 26l. Asmore fully disclosed in the copending application of Thomas 0. Mehan,Serial No. 359,271, filed October 1, 1940, and also as illustratedgenerally in Figs. 9 and 10, the energization of the solenoid through asuitable linkage trips 8. one-revolution clutch mechanism 262 andtherethrough closes a motor switch 264 to energize a motor 266. Trippingof the one-revolution clutch mechanism 262 results in opening the switch26L and thus deenergizing the solenoid 260. The circuits are illustratedas being supplied with electrical energy from line conductors 268, 269,which may supply direct current or alternating current.

Overdraft interlock As best illustrated in Figs. 11 and 11a, means areprovided to lock the total key 203 and subtotal key 202 againstdepression when the accumulator contains a negative balance, and to lockthe credit balance key 204 against depression when the accumulatorcontains a positive balance. Thus, attempted misoperation of the machineby depression of the wrong key 202, 203, or 204 is prevented.Furthermore, the interlock provides a warning indication to theoperator, especially of the existence of an overdraft, the indicationbeing provided by the inability of the operator to press the total andsubtotal keys.

This mechanism comprises a cam 210 which is secured to and is rotatablewith the highest order subtract pinion 0. This cam, when the accumulatorassembly is in subtract position (shown in Fig. 11) is adapted to engagethe rearward toothed portion 212 of a bail 214, the latter i n'cuntedfor free pivotal movement on a stud When the accumulator assembly isshifted to its add position, the cam 210 will be in position to engagethe forward toothed portion 218 of the bail 214. The bail 214 isprovided with a forwardly extending arm 280 pivotally connected by a pin282 with a link 284. The link 284 is pivotally connected to an arm 286secured to a shaft 288 suitably mounted in the center frame plates ofthe machine and having an arm 290 rigidly secured at its right-hand end.This linkage is adapted to be held in the position in which it.is moved,by a spring 29B frictionally engaging the link 284.

A locking slide 292 has a pivotal pin and slot connection with the freeend of the arm 290 so as to be reciprocated by angular oscillation ofthe shaft 288. The locking slide 292 is suitably guided for longitudinalmovement in the keyboard assembly and has a pair of stop lugs 294, 295bent upwardly therefrom. As shown in Fig. 11a, when the locking slide292 is in its rearmost (full line) position, the lug 295 is positionedbeneath the credit balance key 204, while the lug 294 lies in a positionbetween the subtotal key 202 and the total key 203, so that these latterkeys may be freely depressed. When the locking slide 292 is movedforwardly to the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 11a, thestop lug 294 is in position to prevent depression of the subtotal key202, while the stop lug 295 is in position beneath the total key 203 toprevent depression thereof. In this position, the stop lug 295 is nolonger beneath the credit balance key, so'that the latter may beoperated.

Operation priate amount keys 20. While the keyboard is indicated as ofthe full flexible type, it will be readily understood that this is notessential and that a ten-key amount-setup mechanism may be employed.

After setting up he amount, the operator depresses either the dd key 201or the subtract key 208, depending upon the character of the operationto be, performed. If, for example, the preceding operation has been asubtract operation and the operator depressed the add key 207, theinitial portion of the downward stroke of the add key 201 results inclosure of the switch 240. As best illustrated in Fig. 10, and aspreviously described, closure of the switch 240 would, in this instance,result in the energization of the solenoid I80. Under the assumedinitial conditions (with the accumulator assembly in subtract position),the arm 258 is in the position shown in Fig. holding the switch 254open, and with the switch 250 closed. A circuit is thus established fromthe line conductor 268, through the switches 240 and 250, through thewinding of solenoid I80, and hence to the line conductor 289. Thecompletion of this circuit will, through the energization of thesolenoid I80, swing the accumulator assembly to the add positions, whereit will be held by the detent I90 (Fig. 9). The accumulator pinions I08are thus in the positions shown in Figs. 3, 4, 6, and 7.

Further depression of the add key 201 results in the closure of switch242. Since the drive mechanism is assumed to be in normal position, theswitch 28I will, at this time, be in closed will, as previouslydescribed, commence moving forward until at the 60 position of the mainshaft, the gear segments 88 and transfer sectors 94 will be in theirnormal positions shown in Fig. 3. After being held in this position froma 60 to a 75 position of the main shaft, such of the racks as have beenreleased by their zero stops 31 (due' to the depression of a key in theassociated bank of keys) will move rearwardly with the restoring bailbar 44 until arrested by the depressed key stems. As indicated in Fig.13, all of the racks will have moved rearwardly to the limit permittedby their associated set keys when the main shaft has rotated through108. When in this position, the segmental gears 88 are locked in,aligned position by the aligner bar 85, and, after the main shaft hasmoved toits 207 position, the accumulator pinions I06 are rocked intoengagement with the gear segments 88.

As the main shaft reaches its 231 position, the accumulators will befully enmeshed with the gear segments 88 so that at the 234 position ofthe main shaft, the aligner bar 85 may be, and is, moved from engagementwith the segmental gears -88. At the 243 position of the main shaft, the

aligner bar will be fully disengaged and the reposition so that theclosure of the switch 242 will result in the establishment of a circuit,which may be traced as follows: From the line conductor 288, throughswitches 26I and 242, and winding of solenoid 280 to line conductor 269.This will result in the energization of the solenoid 260 and thetripping of the one-revolution clutch mechanism 262. Such tripping ofthe clutch mechanism results in opening the switch 28I to deenergize thesolenoid 280 and closure of the switch 284, thus connecting the motor266 across the line conductors 288 and 269.

The motor will thus commence driving the main shaft 62 through theone-revolution clutch mechanism 282, and, by means of the cam 60 (Fig.2) move the restoring bail bar 44 rearwardly a short distance sufficientto move the segmental gears 88 from the positions in which they areshown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig. 5. In this position, thegear segment 88 is in contact with the transfer sector 94 and holds thelatter sufficiently counterclockwise from its normal position to permitany of the transfer pawls I00 which may have been moved to transferposition in a preceding cycle (as in Fig. 4), to swing from the dottedline position of Fig. 5 to the full line position. Such restoration ofany previously actuated transfer pawls I00, No, is permitted, since atthis time, the accumulator cradle frame plates I30 and I8I are in theposition shown in Fig. 2a, in which, it will be noted, the transfer pawllatches I84 are swung sufllclently counterclockwise to permit thesprings I80 to move their respective transfer pawls I00, I 00a, tonormal position.

Following restoration of the transfer pawls I 00, Na, and after the mainshaft has rotated through 36, the actuator restoring bail bar 44 storingbail bar 44 will commence moving forward, and reaches its normal forwardposition when the main shaft is'at its 288 position. Dur. ing the courseof such movement, the actuating racks 38 which have been displaced dueto the operation of a numeral key in their associated key banks will besuccessively picked up by the restoring ball 44 and returned to normalposition, Where they will be relatched by their zero stop hooks 31.

If, in the course of the forward movement of the actuator racks 38, oneof the accumulator pinions I03 is rotated from its 9 to M0 position, itstransfer cam tooth I68 trips the transfer pawl I00 or lIlOa associatedwith the next highest denominational order so that the latter moves fromthe full line to the dotted line position of Fig. 5. The transfer sector94 of the order into which the transfer is effected is thus permitted tobe restored with its segmental gear 88 to the position in which it isshown in Fig. 4, and the accumulator pinion I06 in mesh therewith willthus be advanced an additional tooth space since the transfer sector 94forms in effect a continuation of the gear segment 88.

After the main shaft reaches its 348 position, the accumulator pinionsI06 are moved away from the segmental gears 88 and transfer sectors 94so that as the cycle of operation is completed the accumulator pinionswill again be in the positions in which they are shown in Figs. 3 and 4and will have had the amount set up on the keyboard addedto theregistration which may have initially been contained therein.

It will be noted that in an ordinary listing operation (as well as othertypes of operating cycles to be described hereinafter), the transferpawls I00, I00a are reset during the initial 60 movement of the mainshaft-so that transfer operations may be rapidly performed during thelimited time that the accumulators are in engagement with theiractuating gears 88 and transfer sectors 94. Furthermore, it will benoted that the movement of the transfer sectors 94 is effected by thesprings 98, and that because of the relatively light weight and lowrotary movement of inertia of the transfer sectors 94, these parts maymove rapidly to the position in which they effect a transfer (1. e.,from the position of Fig. 3

to that of Fig. 4). Thus, for example, if the accumulator contained theregistration of the amount 999,999,999.99 prior to the start of theadding cycle, it will be apparent that if the amount added during theadding cycle was 1, all of the transfer pawls will have to be tripped.The energy for tripping the pawls I00, M011, and for rotating theaccumulator pinions each through one step and effecting a transfer ofthe type indicated, is obtained from the stretched springs 96. Thus, thelatch is capable of performing successive transfer operations from theunits to the highest order accumulator pinion without requiring themovement of relatively heavy parts having considerable inertia, whichwould tend to slow do wn the transfer operation.

In performing a subtract operating cycle, the operator presses the keysrepresenting the amount to be subtracted and follows this with thedepression of the subtract key 208. The initial downward movement of thekey 208 results in closure of the switch 2, which, as will be apparentfrom the wiring diagram of Fig. 10, completes a circuit through thesolenoid H02.

As the latter is energized, the accumulator assembly is shifted from theposition in which it is shown in Figs. 3 and f to the position in whichit is shown in Figs. 1, 2a, and 10, in which position the subtractpinions i W are in position to be engaged with the segmental gears fitand transfer sectors 94.

Further depression of the subtract key 208 results in closure of theswitch M0, which completes the circuit to the one-revolution clutchmechanism solenoid 260 in the same manner as was previously described asoccurring upon the closure of switch 202.

The operating cycle of the machine commences, and all parts operate inthe same manner as previously described with reference to the addingcycle, except that the subtract pinions M0, instead of the accumulatorpinions i06 are brought into mesh with the gear segments 83 and transfersectors 94, and the transfer pawls M0, M01; are actuated by the transfercam teeth 8'50 of the subtract pinions IIO instead of by thecorresponding transfer cam teeth of the accumulator pinions. Since thesubtract pinions Ilflil are geared directly to the accumulator pinions506, the amount set up on the keyboard will be subtracted from theregistration contained in the accumulator pinions in the well knownmanner.

To illustrate a simple example involving a neg= ative total, that is, atrue total obtained when a greater amount is subtracted from a lesseramount, 4 subtracted from 3, for instance, the following operationsoccur: Assume that 3 has been entered into the units accumulator pinionI06, as illustrated in Fig. 5, with its transfer cam tooth I68 in theposition th re shown. Then assume that digit 4 is set up in thekeyboard, followed by a depression of the subtract key 208, to perform asubtract operating cycle, in the manner previously described.

It will be recalled that the initial portion of the downward stroke.given subtract key 208 results in shifting the subtract pinions i 00 toproper po' sition for meshing with the segmental gears 88 and transfersectors 94 if, as in the present example, the preceding cycle was anadding operation. Thus, the units subtract pinion IIO will be inposition to mesh with the units segmental gear 88 (Fig. 12), and when someshed, will be rotated four toothed spaces counterclockwise during thesubtract cycle by virtue of the digit 4 set up in the keyboard. Duringsuch four toothed rotation of the unit subtract pinion IIO, itsassociated transfer cam tooth I10 will trip its transfer pawl I00 whensaid pinion -I I0 moves between its 9 to 0 position to effect a transferinto the next highest denominational order subtract pinion. Suchtransfer operation accordingly takes place successively through thehigher denominational order subtract pinions IIO until the tooth I10 ofthe highest denominational order pinion IIO trips its associatedtransfer pawl |00a (Fig. 12). When this pawl I00a is tripped, thetransfer pawl I00b is likewise tripped through the tie bar I18. and theunit order subtract pinion III] is thereby moved one additional toothedspace to enter the fugitive one in the subtract pinion H0 of lowestorder. At this time, the registration in the subtract pinions H0 willread 000,000,000.01.

It may be convenient at this time to refer to the correspondingoperation of the accumulator mechanism as the registration in theaccumulator is changed from a negative value to a positive value. Suchchange would, of course, occur while the accumulator pinions I06 are inmesh with the actuating gear segments 88 or transfer sectors 94. With aregistration of 999,999,999.99, all of the transfer cam teeth I68 of theaccumulator pinions I06 will be in position about to trip theirassociated transfer pawls I00, l00a. Thus, any further(counterclockwise. Fig. 3), movement of the units accumulator pinion I06will trip the tens order transfer pawl I00 and advance the tensaccumulator pinion I06 one tooth counterclockwise. This transfer will becarried through, in similar manner, to the highest order accumulatorpinion I00, and from the latter to the units order accumulator pinionthus reinserting the fugitive one.

When a subtotal is to be taken, the subtotal key 202 is depressed.Depression of this key through its rocking plate 232 operating upon pin238 depresses the key stem 2I2 of the add key 201', and, in the mannerpreviously described sufficiently to close switch 240, thereby shiftingthe accumulator assembly to the add position (if it was not previouslyin that position) and subsequently by closure of switch 2H1 energizingthe driving motor to start an operating cycle.

As the main shaft 62 reaches its 60 position, the accumulator pinionsI06 are moved into mesh with the gear segments 88 and transfer sectors94, and are retained in mesh throughout the rearward and forward travelof the actuating racks, being disengaged from the gear segments 83 andtransfer sectors 94 as the main shaft reaches its 231 position.

In the sub-totaling operating, the zero hooks 31 are operated to releaseall of the actuating racks in the usual manner so that their movementmay be limited by the engagement of the radial faces of the transfer camteeth 868 with the cooperating surfaces of the noses N2 of the transfer:pawls I00, I00a, all in a well known manner, so that printing of thesub-total may be effected.

In effecting a total operation, the total key 203 is operated, and anoperating cycle corresponding closely with that described above withreference to taking a sub-total is performed by the machine, with theexception that the accumulator pinions I06 are disengaged from theirgear segments 88 and transfer sectors 94 as the main shaft 62 moves fromits 207 to its 231 position so that the accumulator is cleared.

It will be understood that neither a total nor sub-total operation canbe performed by the machine while a credit balance or overdraft ispresent in the accumulator. Such operation is prevented by the overdraftlocking mechanism shown particularly in Figs. 11 and 11a. When a creditbalance is present in the accumulator and It is desired to print thecredit balance and clear the ,machine, the credit balance key 204 isdepressed.

During the initial portion of the downward stroke of the key 204, itwill, through the rocking plate 232, its arm 234, and pin 230, depressthe subtract key stem 2I6 sufficiently to cause closure of the switch 2,thereby assuring that the accumulator assembly will be in its subtractposition, energizing the solenoid I82 if necessary to thus shift theaccumulator assembly. Such shifting is necessary whenever the precedingcycle of the machine was an adding cycle.

Further depression of the credit balance key 204 results in closure ofthe switch 2I0 and consequent energization of the one revolution clutchmechanism solenoid 260. In the course of the credit balance operatingcycle, just as in the sub-totaling and totaling cycles, the zero hooks31 are released during the operating cycle to permit the actuating racks36 to move rearwardly to an extent determined by the positions of theirassociated subtract pinions H0. The rotation of the subtract pinions I Iis limited by the engagement of the radial faces of their transfer camteeth III) with the cooperating faces of the noses I72 of the transferpawls I00, I00a. When all of the subtract pinions have been arrested inthis position, the accumulator pinions I06 are in positionscorresponding to a registration of 999,999,- 999.99. This might betermed a "negative zero" position of the accumulator pinions I06 sincewhen in this position, if a unit is added in the units wheel, it willeffect a successive transfer to the highest order wheels, first settingall of the wheels to zero position, and then, due to the rigidconnection between the transfer pawls I00a and I00b, the unit will beentered into the units accumulator pinion by way of the transfermechanism.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that due to the rigid connectionbetween the transfer pawls I00 and I00b, there is a possibility oferroneous addition by the amount of "1" for each time the capacity ofthe machine is exceeded in a single series of adding cycles, becauseafter the full capacity of the machine, namely 999,999,- 999.99, isreached, the addition of 1 will result in causing the accumulators toregister 000,000,- 000.01, whereas, the indication should have been000,000,000.00. However, this possibility of error is extremely remoteand is of no more consequence than the possibility of error in the useof any adding or calculating machine whenever the capacity of themachine is exceeded.

Rsum

From the foregoing, it will appear that the machine of our invention isso constructed that a sub-total, a total, or a credit balance may betaken at any time, that is, during a cycle of the machine immediatelyfollowing an add or subtract cycle. The factors which make this possibleinclude the manner of resetting the transfer mechanism, whereby this isaccomplished during the first 60 of rotation of the main shaft, and theutilization of a means for shifting the accumulator between its add andsubtract positions which is operable prior to the commencement of, or atleast during the first few degrees of. the operating cycle. v

The transfer mechanism, in which energy is stored and released to effecttransfer operations with the movement of small low inertia parts, andthe actuator operating means, whereby the resetting of the transfermechanism is effected early in an operating cycle of the machine,contribute materially to the simplicity and speed of operation of themachine.

The means whereby the transfer mechanism is reset at the beginning ofthe operating cycle so that a blank stroke is unnecessary, is notclaimed herein, but forms the subject matter of divisional applicationSerial No. 596,762, filed May 30, 1945.

While we have shOWn and described a particu lar embodiment of ourinvention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that theinvention may be embodied in various modified forms, and we thereforedesire, by the following claims, to include within the scope of ourinvention, all such variations and modifications by which substantiallythe results of our invention may be obtained through the use ofsubstantially the same or equivalent means.

We claim:

1. In an adding machine having numeral key controlled actuators, anaccumulator having a plurality of pinions, said accumulator pinionsbeing adapted to be actuated by said actuators in one direction toeffect adding operations and to be actuated in the opposite direction toeffect subtract operations, electromagnetic means for selectivelyshifting said accumulator pinions to condition them either for adding orfor subtractingoperations, means for initiating an operating cycle ofthe machine, and means operated incidental to the initial movement ofsaid last named means to energize said electromagnetic means.

2. In an adding machine having toothed actuators, accumulator pinionsadapted when in one position to be driven in one direction and when in asecond position to be driven in a reverse direction by movement of saidactuators, electromagnetic means for shifting said accumulator pinionsfrom one of said positions to the other, means for initiating anoperating cycle of the machine, and a switch closed by said last namedmeans upon the partial operation thereof, thereby to energize saidelectromagnetic means and shift said accumulator pinions prior to thecommencement of the operating cycle.

3. In an adding machine having a plurality of toothed actuators, aplurality of accumulator pinions adapted to be engaged with and drivenby said actuators respectively, a plurality of subtract pinions meshingwith said accumulator pinions, means for shifting said accumulator andsubtract pinions between positions in one of which the accumulatorpinions are engageable with said actuators and in the other of whichsaid subtract pinions are engageable with said actuators, anelectromagnet for operating said last named means, and a manuallyoperable switch-controlled circuit for energizing said electromagneticmeans.

4. In an adding machine having a plurality of toothed actuators, aplurality of accumulator pinions adapted to be engaged with and drivenby said actuators respectively, a plurality of subtract pinlons meshingwith said accumulator pinions, means for shifting said accumulator andsubtract pinions between positions in one of which the accumulatorpinions are engageable with said actuators and in the other of whichsubtracting position, a pair or". solenoids, accumulator shifting meansoperated in one direction by one of said solenoids and in the oppositedirection by the other solenoid, a key for initiating an addingoperation and a key for initiating a subtract operation, a first pair ofswitches operated by said keys respectively, a second pair of switchesconnected respectively in series with said first named switches and saidsolenoids, and means operated by said accumulator shifting means to openthe one of said second pair of switches which is in series with thesolenoid which has been energized by the depression of one of said keys.

6. A calculating machine having a plurality of actuators, an add andsubtract accumulator engageable with said actuators but normallydisengaged therefrom, means for engaging and disengaging saidaccumulator and actuators, means for moving said accumulator from an addto a subtract position and vice versa while it is disengaged from saidactuators, positive total-tak ing control means, negative total-takingcontrol means, means operated incidental to the start of the manualoperation oi said positive totaltaking control means to cause saidaccumulator moving means to move said accumulator from subtracting toadding position, and means operated incidental to the start of themanual operation of said negative total-taking control means to causesaid accumulator moving means to move said accumulator from adding tosubtracting position.

'7. A calculating machine having a plurality of actuators, an add andsubtract accumulator engageable with said actuators but normallydisengaged therefrom, means for engaging and disengaging saidaccumulator and actuators, means for moving said accumulator from an addto a subtract position and vice versa while it is disengaged from saidactuators, positive total-talr ing control means, negative tOtaL-takingcontrol means, and electromagnetic means energized in= cidental to thestart of the manual operation of said positive total-taking controlmeans to cause said accumulator moving means to move said accumulatorfrom subtracting to adding position, and electromagnetic means energizedincidental to the start of the manual operation of said negativetotal-taking control means to cause said accumulator moving means tomove said accumulator from adding to subtracting position.

8. In a calculating machine having a key-set stop mechanism, actuatorscontrolled thereby, and accumulator pinions operated by said actuators,said accumulator pinions occupying different positions in theperformance of adding and subtracting operations, means for shiftingsaid accumulator pinions from one position to mulator shiftable betweenadding position and the other, comprising a pair of opposedelectromagnetic means, manually operable means for selectivelyenergizing said electromagnetic means, and switch means operated by saidaccumulator shifting mechanism to deenergize and prevent reenergizationof the electromagnetic means after the accumulator shifting mechanismhas been operated by such electromagnetic means.

9. In a calculating machine, the combination of an accumulator, meansfor differentially actuating said accumulator, manually operable meansfor-selectively initiating an adding or subtracting cycle of operationof the machine, electromagnetic means operable upon energizationsubstantially instantaneously relatively to shift said accumulator andsaid actuating means between add and subtract positions, and meanscontrolled by said manually operable means to energize saidelectromagnetic means to cause relative shifting of said accumulator andsaid actuating means effectively prior to the commencement of a cycle ofoperation of the machine between positions in which the accumulator iseffective to add or to subtract, depending upon the character ofoperation selected by said manually operable means.

10. A calculating machine having a plurality oi actuators, an add andsubtract accumulator engageable with said actuators but normallydisengaged therefrom, means for engaging and disengaging saidaccumulator and actuators, means for relatively moving said accumulatorand said actuators between add and subtract positions while theaccumulator is disengaged from said actuators, a credit balance key,means controlled by said key for conditioning the machine for theoperation of taking a credit balance and for initiating such operation,and means operated by said key during the initial portion of the operative movement thereof to cause said accumulator moving means to movesaid accumulator from add to subtract position.

11. In a calculating machine having actuating means, an accumulator, andoperation controlling keys, electromagnetic means for effecting relativeshifting of said accumulator and actu ating means between add andsubtract positions, and switch means operated by said operationcontrolling keys to energize said electromagnetic means and therebycause relative shifting of said accumulator and actuating means inaccordance with the operation to be performed, said shifting beingaccomplished prior to the effective commencement of the operating cycleoi the machine.

12. In a calculating machine having actuating means and an accumulator,electromagnetic means for relatively shifting the accumulator and theactuating means between add and subtract positions, switch and electriccircuit means for energizing said electromagnetic means to causerelative shifting of said accumulator and actuating means to relativepositions according with the operation to be performed, and control keysfor determining the character of operation to be performed and forcausing the operation of said switch means prior to the engagement ofsaid accumulator with its actuating means.

THOMAS O. IVIEHAN. HUN .EER E. HOOE.

